If you have lost a loved one who succumbed to a work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to seek workers’ compensation death benefits. An attorney can fight to ensure that all eligible dependents receive the maximum allowable benefits in death and dependent Toledo workers’ compensation claims.
Insurance companies frequently try to deny or minimize claims, but proper legal representation can help eligible surviving family members receive their rightful compensation. If your family has experienced a work-related death, the compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys at Schaffer & Associates can help you understand your rights and how to seek payments.
Dependents of workers in Toledo and the surrounding area who passed away due to occupational illnesses or injuries may be entitled to file workers’ compensation claims and seek benefits. Only certain parties are eligible for these benefits, including the worker’s surviving spouse and dependent children under 18.
A dependent spouse is eligible for lifetime benefits unless they remarry. If a deceased worker leaves behind children over the age of 18 but younger than 25, these dependents may receive workers’ compensation death benefits if they are enrolled full-time at an accredited educational institution.
Other parties may also be eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits, including dependent children of any age who are unable to work due to physical or mental disabilities. Other relatives, such as parents, may be entitled to benefits if they were dependent on the worker for financial support.
To receive death benefits as a dependent filing a workers’ compensation claim in Toledo, the family member must have passed away because of a work-related illness, injury, or accident. Recoverable compensation can include accrued compensation and death benefits.
Accrued compensation refers to the unpaid balance of any workers’ compensation coverage that the worker was owed at the time of their death. This compensation is available to dependents regardless of the cause of the worker’s death and can also be paid to service providers or the deceased’s estate.
Separately, death benefits equivalent to two-thirds of the deceased person’s weekly wage prior to their death can be paid to eligible surviving dependents every two weeks for as long as the dependents qualify. Death benefits can also pay for funeral expenses for the deceased, up to $5,500.
Certain medical expenses accrued by the deceased person before they died from a work-related injury or illness can also be covered. Any claim must include proper documentation and proof that the applicant is a dependent. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible and fight against unfair claim denials.
Strict time limitations apply in death and dependent Toledo workers’ compensation claims. Most cases must be filed within one year of the date of death. The deprivation of income and support caused by the death of a family member can be devastating on every level, compounding the grief of your personal loss.
Our proactive attorneys at Schaffer & Associates can gather all vital documents and handle the required legal procedures to help surviving family members save time and effort. Contact us today to speak with an experienced lawyer who can explain your legal rights and options.